I guess everyone is familiar with the deep frying term. I mean, even I am, and I’m the type of person who can overcook water for tea. However, in recent years the term air frying had been pumped up quite high in the eyes of everyday users. That’s why I’ve decided to put together a comprehensive guide about the best small air fryers that are currently available on the market.
Why small, you might ask? Well this website mainly focuses on quiet and small (or compact) home appliances and you would be surprised how big and space-taking some of these appliances can be.
Table of Contents
Deep Fryers vs. Air Fryers
But before we dive into the list of the best models available, let’s first check what their benefits are and if you should prefer them over deep fryers.
Oil vs. Water and Hot Air
To explain the difference between the two in the simplest words, I’d say that a deep fryer uses oil to cook the meal, while an air fryer uses water and hot air. With that being said, however, you can cook any food in an air fryer that you would normally cook in a deep fryer, because you can simply spray oil on food that you’ve just prepared in your air fryer.
Also the term frying can be a bit misleading, since most cooks and chefs would probably argue that if food is not submerged in oil, it’s not frying. But let’s not dwell on such details right now.
So How Does an Air Fryer Work?
Most air fryers look like coffee machines or kettles. It is an electric device that uses a heating system along with a small fan that keeps blowing air into the cooking chamber, where the food lies in a perforated basket. Since the cooking chamber is quite small, the air circulates thoroughly around the food, thus creating an even crisp crust.
Small air fryers can actually cook certain foods faster, since the cooking chamber is smaller and hot air is more intensified in the area. On the other hand, you cannot put much food (like a whole chicken) into smaller models.
You can also check the video below (by Philips India):
Air Frying Takes Time
Since there is no oil used during frying, it will take more time to cook a meal using just water and hot air. The exact time depends on the specific food. There are plenty of recipes that can be found online that specify the estimated prepare time.
What About Baking?
As the names suggests, air fryers are mainly designed for frying. However, most of them can be used for roasting and even baking. That is something, however, that I’d recommend doing only if you don’t have access to a conventional oven. Normally you would use a much bigger metal plate for baking and since we are reviewing the smallest air fryers on the market, baking would be really counter-productive here.
What to Look for Before Purchase:
Before you jump into action and get yourself a new, compact air fryer, there are several things you should consider:
Size Matters: Finding the Right Fit
Air fryers come in all shapes and sizes, just like people (and their appetites). You’ve probably landed on my page because you are looking for a good quality, yet small air fryer. That means there have to be some sacrifices, usually in regard to cooking capacity.
Before you commit to a shiny new air fryer, consider the following:
- Counter space: Measure your available counter space to ensure your new air fryer won’t end up being a permanent fixture in your living room. Unless, of course, you want to start a new trend in interior design.
- Cooking capacity: If you’re feeding a small army (or just your family), you’ll want an air fryer with a larger cooking capacity. If it’s just you and your cat, a smaller model will do just fine.
The Price is Right: Balancing Budget and Features
We all know that money doesn’t grow on trees (unfortunately), so finding the right balance between cost and features is essential.
The good news is you can get your hands on a quality piece for a very affordable price. While there are definitely some expensive models, most air fryers are priced very reasonably.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Set a budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend before you start shopping to avoid any impulse buys that might leave you regretting your life choices.
- Features vs. cost: More expensive models may come with extra bells and whistles, but do you really need 25 different cooking presets? Be honest with yourself about which features are truly essential.
Ease of Use: Because Nobody Wants to Read a 50-Page Manual
You want your air fryer to be your new best friend, not a complicated, high-maintenance relationship. Here’s what to look for in terms of user-friendliness:
- Intuitive controls: Look for an air fryer with simple, easy-to-understand controls. You don’t need a Ph.D. in Air Frying to make some deliciously crispy snacks.
- Easy cleaning: Let’s face it, nobody likes cleaning. Opt for an air fryer with dishwasher-safe parts or non-stick coatings to make your life a little bit easier.
Safety First: No Kitchen Disaster Please
I bet want your air fryer to bring you crispy joy, not a kitchen catastrophe, right? Keep these safety features in mind:
- Auto shut-off: An air fryer that automatically shuts off when the cooking time is up can save you from accidentally burning your house down. Or, you know, just your dinner.
- Cool-touch exterior: A cool-touch exterior can prevent burns and make your air frying experience a lot more pleasant. Because who wants to wear oven mitts every time, they touch their air fryer?
Reviews, Reviews, Reviews: Let Others Be Your Guide
In the age of the internet, we have the power of countless reviews at our fingertips. While I’ve put quite some time and effort into this guide, you can always double-check verified reviews of each respective model to help make your decision.
- Do your research: Read product reviews from fellow air fryer enthusiasts to learn about the pros and cons of each model. Remember, not all heroes wear capes; some just leave helpful reviews.
- Take it with a grain of salt: Keep in mind that not every review will be 100% accurate or relevant to your needs. Use your own judgment and critical thinking skills to determine which air fryer is right for you.
Comparison Table
5 Best Air Fryers on the Market
Alright, armed with the knowledge from above, now you should be certain whether or not you want to get an air fryer. I’ve scoured the market for several long hours to come up with these five best small air fryers.
Note: The list is sorted by my personal rating, not by the size.
1) Ninja Air Fryer 4-Quart Ceramic Coated Basket (AF101)
This particular model is manufactured by Ninja and is one of the most desired kitchen appliances on the market.
It features 1550W programmable base with 4-quart ceramic coated basket. Ninja air fryer offers temperature-changing system, from 105 to 400 degrees F (40.5 to 204° C). The ceramic base is smaller than is the case with most air fryers, but it still accommodates 2 pounds of French fries. The manufacturer recommends pre-heating the machine for 3 minutes before using it for food. Cleaning is dishwasher-safe thanks to the quality parts (basket, crisper plate and multi-layer rack).
The dimensions are 13.6 x 11 x 13.3 inches and the weight is 4.9 lbs, which makes it one of the smallest air fryers available.
Pros and Cons
- Tasty food result
- Small and lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Super easy user interface
- No attachments for grilling and baking
- Several users reported a rubber-burning smell, but this seems to be 1 in 100 cases
Our rating: 
4.8 / 5
2) COSORI Air Fryer – Max XL 5.8 Quart
Besides ovens, kettles, microwaves and other kitchen appliances, COSORI also makes quality air fryers. Let’s look at the one with 5.8 quart capacity.
COSORI XL air fryer prides itself with 5.8 quart square non-stick basket, which can accommodate an entire chicken. It features LCD display with 11 functions for various foods. The removable parts are dishwasher-safe, PFOA-free and BPA-free. Thanks to the 1700W and temperature range from 170 to 400°F (76.6 to 204° C). Shake reminder and pre-heat functions are also included. COSORI brand also provides over 100 air fryer-friendly recipes.
XL’s dimensions are 11.8 x 12.6 x 11.7 inches and the empty weight is 14.5 pounds. You can also check our full review here.
Pros and Cons
- 5.8 Quart space is great, considering the size
- New 2019 model with additional features
- Easy to clean
- Quite affordable
- Free recipe book
- Heavy, compared to other models on our list
Our rating: 4.8 / 5
3) Gourmia GAF228 2.2 Qt Digital Air Fryer
Gourmia is no stranger to quality kitchen appliances and quite conveniently, they also make air fryers.
GAF228 by Gourmia uses RadVection 360° technology, which is one of the dominant technologies in regard to cooking and frying. This unit operates on modern LCD display with digital controls to adjust temperature and time settings. 2.2 Quart capacity is not much, but it can still accommodate 1 pound of French fries along with a few chicken legs, or alternatively, 6-7 chicken legs without anything else. GAF228 is ETL-certified, so there is no need to worry about the materials being used in this device.
The dimensions are 10.2 x 8.3 x 11.1 inches and the empty weight is 6.85 lbs.
Pros and Cons
- Takes very little space
- Fits in most kitchen cupboards
- LCD display control
- Affordable
- 2.2 quart capacity is not much
Our rating: 
4.6 / 5
4) Secura Air Fryer 3.4Qt / 3.2L
Air fryer 3.4 Quart is a great combination of a simple design, quality features and compact dimensions.
The 3.4-quart basket is large enough (7.5″ diameter x 4.25″ high) to accommodate food for 3-4 people. Thanks to the auto-timer feature the machine will automatically shut down once your food is ready. You can also double check its status by led indicators for heating and power. The fryer’s temperature setting ranges from 180 to 400°F (82.2 to 204° C). According to the users, the basket chamber can hold about 9 chicken wings. Accessories like BBQ rack and skewer are included. Secure air fryer runs at 1500W/120V, which are electrical standards for North America. The manufacturer offers 2-year warranty.
The dimensions are 13 x 11 x 12 inches and the empty weight is 12.25 pounds.
Pros and Cons
- Intuitive and easy to use
- 3.4-Qt is good enough for 3-4 people
- Included accessories for BBQ
- Easy clean-up
- Great customer service by Secura
- Lowest possible temperature is 180°F, which is a bit higher compared to other models
- Timer and temperature numbers are hard to read (they are very small)
Our rating: 
4.5 / 5
5) Dash Compact Air Fryer 1.2 L
This particular air fryer is manufactured by DASH and has this retro feeling in regard to design and color.
This is one of the best small air fryers on the market, but it also has a very small basket space, only 1.6 qt capacity which is barely enough to accommodate 1 lb of French fries. Besides standard timer feature it also has automatic shutdown setting to prevent overcooking. It works on 1000W and also features cookbook with 15 recipes. You can also choose from five colors, Aqua (light teal), white, black, grey and red.
DASH’s dimensions are 10.2 x 8.1 x 11.4 inches and the weight is 5.7 pounds, making it very small and compact and a must-have for a small retro kitchen.
Pros and Cons
- Cool retro design
- Great for one, max two people
- Evenly fried and tasty food result
- 1.6 qt capacity is not enough for a family
- Considering the 1000W, you will probably be using temperatures 375°F + most of the time
Our rating: 
4.4 / 5
Conclusion
There goes our list on the best small air fryers. We have included only five small air fryers, since most of the other competitors have very similar (in some cases practically identical) functions and design, therefore, I don’t think it was necessary to list them as well.
The smallest air fryer on this list is Gourmia GAF228 and very close behind it is Dash Compact. But these two also have smaller baskets, so it is up to you if you would prefer larger basket and sacrificing bit of space. Hopefully, you have just found your winner.
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